Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are rampant in Balochistan

The report said nine people were released and six bodies were recovered, but the problem still persists, especially in districts like Kech, Quetta and Panjgur. Kech has the highest number of cases with 14, followed by Quetta with seven and other districts have fewer cases.

The situation has remained turbulent for the past twenty years, affecting students, activists, journalists and politicians alike. This ongoing turmoil is compounded by the severe distress among families, especially women and the elderly, who are grieving the fate of their missing loved ones.

The Balochistan Post report underlines the continued suffering of families and the rising number of victims, as detailed in a July report by PAANK, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM).

PAANK’s July report highlighted 35 enforced disappearances, three extrajudicial killings and 13 cases of extrajudicial torture. The report describes a brutal pattern of violence by the Pakistan Defence Forces, including torture and the abduction of young men, whose bodies are often dumped in public as a form of intimidation.

Violence has spread to the protests, with reports of violent suppression in Gwadar and Mastung, where security forces have used live ammunition, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries.

Human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented these abuses, focusing on extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Despite these reports, the Pakistani government continues to deny any involvement, maintaining its stance despite growing international criticism.

Enforced disappearances in Balochistan remain a serious human rights concern, with ample evidence of widespread and systematic abuses by Pakistani security forces. The situation requires urgent international attention and intervention to address these serious human rights violations.